mommy!

[schufflerbot]

took the daughter to my mom n dad's apartment yesterday to hang out... they haven't seen the rugrat in a couple of weeks and were missing her. when i got there, i removed my carry weapon and placed it on the counter as i always do at home. (carrying in the car under MPA, not CHL til the plastic arrives)

my mom is nearing 60 and she's been afraid of guns forever... only fired a handful of shots in her entire life and those were forced by my grandfather in an attempt to get her into the sport.

so, after a little time she walks past the counter in the kitchen and i hear, 'omg, what is this?!' i knew what she'd seen and just ignored it as i was in the middle of a conversation with my step dad. 15-20 minutes later she asks about it, so i indulge. we chat about why i got my CHL, why i carry under MPA for now and why i think everyone in TX who can have one, should at least carry in their car.
they've lived in an apartment for the last couple of years since they sold their home and couldn't decide on a place to build new. the complex is nice, but there's still riff raff occasionally and i posed the question to my standoffish mom, 'what are you going to do when someone kicks in your front door at 3am?'


she just stumbled on her words and her only retort was, 'i just dont think i could shoot someone.'

so i asked, 'which would you rather see... the person who just kicked in your front door laying in a pool of his own blood, or your husband laying in a pool of his own blood from a beating/shooting/stabbing?'

at that point i saw her mind click.

long story short, we spent the better part of 2 hours talking about guns, responsibility, crime rates and the joy of shooting. inadvertently, i sold my mom on getting a gun, possibly her CHL!! and today at 10, we're headed to the range to go shoot some of mine!!!

i'm totally stoked and will feel much better when my parents are more protected... just wanted to share with you guys/gals.

[speedsix]

...Well done!!!

[Hoi Polloi]

If you don't already, please have a lock between your gun and a child of any age and teach your mom to do the same any time it isn't physically on your body.

[schufflerbot]

If you don't already, please have a lock between your gun and a child of any age and teach your mom to do the same any time it isn't physically on your body.

i have locks and my wife and i are very aware and strict when it comes to gun safety/storage. my daughter is 14 months old and the reason it was sitting in the open is because the counter top is nearing 5' tall where it was sitting. no way on earth that child could get up there... she cant even climb onto the couch yet, lol.

thanks for the reminder though... this is something i will definitely be talking to her about, as she does watch my daughter once in a while.

[74novaman]

Once she can climb up onto the couch, be assured she can climb up anywhere, no matter what. I have 2 beautiful 2nd cousins who are 3 and 1, and it seems babies are automatically attracted to either a)the most expensive item in the room or b)the most dangerous to them.

I've watched that 3 year old when she was under 2 head straight for the camera strap of a dSLR that was on a table, ready to crash it down into the ground!

Sounds like you're planning on being careful, but don't ever assume there is "no way they could get to ______". They can, and will. Keep things on your person or locked up. My .02 cents

[Hoi Polloi]

Website for your mom: http://www.corneredcat.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Divided Attention]

at 15 months my oldest made "stairs" out of the drawers in our kitchen and was on the counter when I came in from moving laundry from the washer to the dryer. The bottom drawer was tupperware and the next up plastic spoons, utensils, small cups and their lids - she always played in these two, the next two would only open a small bit as they had child locks on them. This is what she was doing when I walked to the other side of the kitchen door for about 90 seconds. Imagine my surprise when a sweet little "HI!"came from the counter top. Fortunately the stove was not on.

My rambling point - start now with your weapon like you will handle it when she is able to reach everything. That way it is a habit that has less of a chance of being missed. JMPHO.

[LikesShinyThings]

Agreed on several points:

Bravo to you for the great conversation and conversion of your mother!
And absolutely do NOT think "my child can't possibly get there". Parents are always underestimating the abilities of their children. It would be a real tragedy for you daughter to hurt herself or someone else from an underestimation on your part. I agree with Divided Attention - start now in handling your firearm always in a consistently safe fashion, securing it when it is not physically on/with you.

Bonus: Get in the habit, and you won't inadvertently expose someone else's child to inappropriate potential danger. I say this as much to myself as others - this is one I need to work on. I don't travel/live in "child" areas/places very often (no kids at home). I very much need to get in the practice of securing my firearm when visiting (on the rare occasions when I do) my friends when their children are there. Even though the kids have handled firearms and should be "safe", I cannot assume that. If I just always secure when not on me, I'll be good.

[schufflerbot]

yeah, great points and great reminders, folks. i'll start securing the guns when theyre not on me... thanks for the heads up - i knew the 'im going everywhere' stage was coming soon, just didnt realize (read: in denial of) how quickly it would be here.

my mom had a BLAST at the range today and now wants to purchase a ruger LC9 for her first handgun. she has also stated that she will take the CHL class with my wife, so they can both get their plastic together!!

[The Mad Moderate]

yeah, great points and great reminders, folks. i'll start securing the guns when theyre not on me... thanks for the heads up - i knew the 'im going everywhere' stage was coming soon, just didnt realize (read: in denial of) how quickly it would be here.

my mom had a BLAST at the range today and now wants to purchase a ruger LC9 for her first handgun. she has also stated that she will take the CHL class with my wife, so they can both get their plastic together!!

Great! It's always great to see more people get bit by the bug.

[schufflerbot]

Website for your mom: http://www.corneredcat.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

wow, spent the last 20 minutes browsing that site... great info in there, just in the format my mum will love, too.





you seem to know my mom pretty well, hoi - is there something you need to tell me?

[BrianSW99]

Couple of comments here,

First, why take the gun off your person at all when you're home? I agree with what everything said above about not keeping it out in the open around children of any age, and the safest place for it if it's not in a safe is on your person. I personally don't think I would leave a gun out on the counter even if I didn't have kids. I just feel more comfortable with it on me.

Second, since no one else has pointed this out yet, the MPA only covers you carrying the gun to or from your own home, or an activity involving a gun like going to the range. It was illegal for you to carry the gun into your parents apartment. I know you're getting your CHL, but that's something to keep in mind while you're still carrying under MPA.

Brian

[74novaman]

since I spent my last post harping on child/gun safety, decided I should chime back in to say congrats to your mom on making a decision to be responsible for her own safety. I'd sleep better at night if more of my extended family did the same. You did good.

[Texas10X]

Congratulations on how you handled the discussion with your mom and ultimately got her to where she is now. What a great accomplishment! I know you are very proud of her, too. It was a big move on her part, so kudos to her, too, for being open-minded and taking action and planning to pursue her CHL with your wife.

All around, a very good couple of days!